In-Box Review

Introduction

Following on from the two excellent Ultracast figures in kit numbers 35050 and 35049 Canadian/British Tank Crewmen All Theatres – Summer 1939-45, I finally got around to getting the 3rd figure that was released around the same time. This figure depicts a kneeling Tank Crewman.
The review of the two figures mentioned above can be seen Here on Armorama.

The Figure

This figure comes packed in a small plastic zip bag attached to a backing card. On the backing card is a colour picture of the figure to aid painting and on the reverse of the card some basic instructions, along with a Health and Safety warning about working with resin. The figure was sculpted by Alan Ball.

Cast in a light cream resin, the detail is crisp and clear and although the pour block looks big, very little clean up should be necessary other than removing some flash. The sculpting is excellent.

This single figure depicts a British or Commonwealth Tank Crewman in a kneeling position with a cigarette in his right hand. Consisting of four simple parts, the body cast whole with the arms and head as separate pieces.

What is unusual, or not so often depicted, is that he is shown without his Battle Dress jacket. He is wearing Battle Dress trousers, these have the correct pockets and nice detail on the belt loops and a neat,( what I would assume), leather belt. His upper body is shown wearing a British ORs shirt with the 3 button pleat on the front.
The figure is shown wearing anklets, and again the detail on these is good, as are the ammo boots that complete his order of dress.

His right and left arms have rolled up shirt sleeves and are bent at the elbows resting forward on his knees. The detail on the arms and hands is very good and he is designed to be holding a cigarette in his right hand, but you will need to add this small detail.

The head is excellent and shows the face of a pretty tough looking young man. The detail is very crisp and he wears no beret or cap.

Conclusion

Another excellent and very detailed figure to compliment the previous releases. The sculpting is first rate, and the pose is simple and natural. The relaxed order of dress is very appropriate for soldiers taking a NAAFI break or short rest break whilst working. First class casting and superb detail should mean that this figure paints up very nicely indeed.

He should be useable in many theatres of war. As he wears no head gear he could be infantry or armoured as you desire.

Highs: Excellent sculpting and casting, giving very good detail indeed. The pose is natural and the face excellent. Modellers and figure painters alike will, I am sure, find many uses for this very generic and useable figure.Lows: None I can think of.Verdict: Highly recommended.

About Alan McNeilly (AlanL)FROM: ENGLAND - EAST ANGLIA, UNITED KINGDOM

Greying slightly, but young at heart. I've been teaching adults off and on for most of my life. Left the services in 85 and first started modelling in about 87 for a few years. Then I had a long spell when I didn't build anything (too busy) and really just got started again during the summer of ...

Comments

Hey Al,
Another nice review.
I'm really really glad that I had picked up one of these figures recently.
Hey Darren,
The 9.50 BP is actually cheaper than here in Canada.
The exchange rate works out to $16.68 CD and Ultracast has this figure listed as retailing at $17.95 on their website.
Cheers
jjumbo